HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Special Travel Section
A Weekend in Clayton Wineries, restaurants have made North Georgia town a destination of Southern Living magazine’s best hotels, while its restaurant received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The five-acre property has luxury suites with fireplaces and porches to enjoy the mountain views. Another charming suggestion is the White Birch Inn (thewhitebirchinn. net) inside a century-old building in downtown with just six uniquely decorated guestrooms. Each has a fireplace, and you can request the room with a copper soaking tub. Looking for somewhere dog-friendly to lodge, then check out Parker Ranch (parkersranch.com), which is just a mile from downtown. There are five guest suites and breakfast is included in the price of the room. And then there’s Kingwood Resort & Winery (kingwoodresort.com), which features hotel rooms, condos, an 18-hole golf course, spa, and the onsite winery, which offers Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Red Blend.
Where to eat Black Mountain Rock State Park
You won’t be able to eat at every restaurant worth a visit in one weekend, but here are a few to get you started. There is literally something for every taste in
By Collin Kelley
Y
ou’ve likely passed through Clayton, GA on your way to somewhere else – like to eat at the famed Dillard House or for shopping in Highlands, NC. But you have to get off Highways 23/441/15 – the main drag full of gas stations and fast-food joints – to really see this historic town and all that it has to offer, including some of North Georgia’s best dining. Make your way over to the historic downtown district, where you’ll find Main Street lined with restaurants that have made Clayton the “farm to table” capital of the state. Or you might want a grab a beer at one of the local distilleries or savor a locally produced wine at one of the Rabun County vineyards. You can work off all that food and drink at one of the local state parks or attractions, where hiking, fishing, and horseback riding are available. At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m
Beechwood Inn
Where to stay If you want to keep it cheap and simple, there’s a Days Inn (wyndhamhotels.com) on Highway 441 that’s less than a 10-minute walk to Main
Street. But if you’re going for a weekend away, splurge a little and try one of the local spots that will give you luxury and a taste of the mountains. Beechwood Inn & Breakfast
(beechwoodinn.ws) was named one
Clayton, and if fresh is what you’re after, you are definitely in the right town. OpenTable named Fortify Kitchen & Bar (fortifyclayton.com) one of the Continued on page 48 JUNE 2022 | INTOWN
47
